To call in sick to work

[Smarshian]

I’ve been awake since 2.30 as had a pounding headache. Have taken some pills and it’s now a dull ache. Still there but could probably deal with it, but I’m also exhausted from lack of sleep.
YABU - just suck it up and top up the painkillers.
YANBU - go back to bed

Stay at home, you will feel far worse if you go into work. Have a rest day and return tomorrow.

I see you are up and showered and feeling better so that's good, you can go to work.

I've had a killer headache since Monday, as well as a bad back from coughing, a hideous cough that brings up that gunky stuff every time, and a snotty nose. I've had to force myself in every day which has been awful, and I'm constantly clock watching, but I've found i can get through it if I go "I've already done an hour brilliant!" "Wow two hours down now!" "Just two hours to go" etc. I'm then getting home and having a nap/letting the baby play in her jumperoo so I can lie on the sofa with minimum effort but the actual day is easy enough when I'm breaking it up into hours

Good grief - people here take sick days at the drop of a hat, for the most minor problems! I have taken a day off now and again after suffering a bad headache, and the OP has said hers is now a dull ache. While I don't take nearly as many sick days as some people if I'm not feeling at my best I know I won't be able to perform at my best. Stay home and have a good rest.

Well looks like it’s 50/50. I’m on my way in and hoping that coffee will perk me up

Depends how much damage you'll cause from being shattered.
When I go in tired I pretty much waste the entire day making mistakes and rectifying them. Keeps my sickness record clean but it's a waste of a day.

Go in. Better to ask to go home after lunch if you start feeling worse, than not to show at all (in these circumstances).

It depends if you can function and do your job and if you can leave midday if you start to feel worse again. Being tired can cause a lot of issues, I wouldn't want a taxi driver falling asleep at the wheel or a surgeon being so tired he cut off the wrong leg..obviously extreme examples but there are some jobs that if done feeling exhausted could have more implications.

As a fellow migraine sufferer and bad sleeper I understand your dilemma, I hope you feel better soon. Keep hydrated and take regular pain medication.

Go do some work.

I try to save dick days for when I really really need them - never know what’s around the corner

*sick 😳

Lol @ dick days!

Hope you feel better OP. Coffee will peek you up but plenty of water too. Countdown to being back on your sofa this evening and you’ll be pleased you did it. I often find the guilt of a 50/50 sick day makes me feel worse!

I’m on my way in and hoping that coffee will perk me up
Good decision, if you've only been there for 3 months then you should make the extra effort unless you've got something contagious. Lots of water today and I hope you feel better later.

Dick days 😂

If I haven't slept much, I still go to work but just spend all day thinking about that early night I'm going to get, it seems to get me through the day. Keep thinking about your early night OP

that is the problem with these type of threads,
i hope you get through the day and your headache wears off

Well done for going in OP, I think you’ve done the right thing.

I'd go in, particularly as it's a relatively new job and you think you can push on through.

I’m self employed with clients to see so I would definitely go in with a minor headache. I’d have to been on deaths door to skip work.

Unless you're artexing the toilet from both ends, it shouldn't cross your mind to stay off after three months in a job. Everyone has nights were they sleep badly and it's rubbish going to work feeling tired and grotty but it's only one day.

@PotteringAlong I think you've taken ops comment out of context.she was referring to transport issues that's all.

It's called 'presenteeism' when sick people go to work but aren't very productive and should really be at home. 1 day absence is better than a few days 'present and unwell'

But the old school folk still say go to work unless your dead.

If you can get on with it, then you should do so. If you can’t because you’re too ill or there are other risk factors (eg heavy machinery or similar) then don’t. Easy.

I don’t get these threads asking if someone should be off sick. It’s a simple enough question to decide surely ?

I don’t get these threads asking if someone should be off sick. It’s a simple enough question to decide surely ?

Not always. I'm off work sick today. I absolutely should be off sick. But it's my 3rd week back after mat leave, it's really busy and there are already two members of the team OOO plus a massive campaign (I work in marketing) change reported last night screwing things up for everyone.

A lot of posters would probably say I should be at work because I've already had 9 months off, but I categorically shouldn't.

My take is that when you’re REALLY ill enough to stay off sick, you just know it and are resigned to it. There is no debate (internal or otherwise). However there are other days when you wake and feel ‘meh’ and a shower and a coffee tends to give you the momentum just to get on with it.

I could do with a dick day, haven't had one of them for a while 😂😂😂

Are you too ill to work?

Do you think you've got something contagious?

If the answer to both those questions is no, then don't call in sick.

Tiredness sucks but in most jobs it won't stop you working. If you're doing something very safety-critical though then it might be reason to call off.